14 - Laserfiche WebLink

The proposed ordinance requires both electronic filing of campaign statements, as well as the traditional filing of one signed original campaign statement with the City Clerk's Office. The filing of one signed original would provide an accurate record of the campaign statement in the event of any technical mishap, meet state requirements, and hold the person signing responsible for accuracy under penalty of law. Staff recommends that the Council adopt the proposed ordinance mandating electronic filing of campaign statements to allow for greater public access to this information. It is proposed that electronic filing be mandatory so that information about all candidates and committees is equally available to members of the public. Staff expects to finalize selection of a software vendor, have customized features incorporated, and have electronic filing and campaign statement information available to the public on the City's website by July 2008. The cost is expected to be approximately $10,000 annually for the necessary licenses to use this type of software. Voluntary Expenditure Limit. As was noted in the October 16, 2007 report, mandatory expenditure limits implicate Freedom of Speech and Association, and are generally not allowed. Some cities, such as San Ramon, have adopted voluntary expenditure limits. Based on Council's prior discussion and request for additional information, staff suggests that if a voluntary expenditure limit is considered, the limit be set at $1.00 per registered voter in the City. This amount could be the same for candidates for the office of council member and mayor; or, those offices could have different voluntary expenditure limits. If the election were held today, and the $1.00 per registered voter limit were in place, this voluntary expenditure limit would be $36,721. This methodology of basing the voluntary expenditure limit on the number of registered voters relates to campaigns for public office, and it is an objective and publicly reported number. Under the Elections Code, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters must report to the Secretary of State the number of registered voters in the county, and distinguish this by city. This is a number that is posted by the Registrar of Voters on its website. In the Alameda County Registrar of Voter's Report of Registration for the Feb. 5, 2008 Presidential Primary (for which voter registration closed on September 4, 2007), the City of Pleasanton had 36,721 registered voters. In San Ramon, which has a voluntary expenditure limit, the limit is calculated based on the cost of two mailings to each registered voter. For the 2005 election, San Ramon's voluntary limit was $21,544. Staff perceives that San Ramon's methodology could be subject to significant variables, such as cost of color versus black & white, size of mailing, rates for pre-sorted mail, etc. If Council considers a voluntary expenditure limit, staff would recommend that it be based on the number of registered voters in the City, as reported by the County Registrar, 130 days prior to the election at issue. The 130 day period is recommended Page 3 of 6